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Reid Headlines All Women's Card
By David A. Avila
(JAN 30, 2005) LAS VEGAS-Elena "Baby Doll" Reid stopped Lakeysha Williams
with a single body shot to continue her quest for a junior bantamweight
world title on Saturday.
In an all-women fight card, Reid, 23, showed a full house at the Silverton
Casino what women's boxing is all about with a convincing performance over a
bigger but not stronger opponent.
"This was Elena's best performance," said Chris Ben, who trains Reid.
Using quicker combinations and a tighter defense, the left-handed fighter
Reid out-punched and never stepped backward against Williams (8-7-3) who
often fights at featherweight.
It was the second time they fought. In their last meeting Reid won by
unanimous decision two years ago.
"This was a much easier fight this time," said Reid (16-1-5, 5 KOs), who
fights out of Las Vegas. "The first time we fought I was the one moving.
This time she was the one moving and it was much easier for me."
Firing lead left hands and quick three-punch combinations, Reid snapped
Williams head back repeatedly. Williams tried to use her jab to keep Reid
from landing but was walking into right hooks.
In the fifth, a single left hand to the solar plexus dropped Williams who
writhed in agony. The referee Richard Steele counted her out at 1:59 of the
fifth round.
Williams, who fights out of Philadelphia, said she was at a handicap for the
fight.
"I think they should have given us more time to get adjusted," William said
regarding her arrival to Las Vegas the day before the fight.
Reid was exhuberant with her knockout victory.
"I love boxing," Reid said with many fans driving from Arizona to see her
fight.
Though Reid fought for a very small purse, it was a sacrifice she made to
get back into the ring.
"All I want is a chance to fight for the world title," said Reid, who seeks
a match against Mariana Juarez or Regina Halmich. "All my training is paying
off."
If there is any question about Reid's ability to fight the best in the
world, the always happy Phoenix native proved she belongs among the elite
prizefighters in the world and is willing to face anyone from flyweight to
bantamweight.
"I've waited for a long time for a chance to fight for the world title" said
Reid who came within a judge's decision of winning a world title against
Germany's Halmich last summer.
And about her victory.
"I love throwing those body shots," she said.
As Reid signed autographs for her fans, her trainer Ben looked at her and
gave a quick assessment of her victory.
"That was her best performance," said Ben. "She's seeing all the shots
coming and she's not getting hit any more."
The only shots Reid wants to take are world title shots.
Last week, a Southern California promoter tried to make a fight between Reid
and Juarez, but the Mexican fighter's team decided against it.
"It's hard finding fighters in her weight class that want to fight her,"
said Ben. "She always has to fight girls that are bigger than her."
No matter, Reid found the right combination to stop her taller and heavier
opponent.
"All of the training I do is paying off, the fights are getting easier,"
Reid said.Other results: Shelly
Burton, UD6 over Elizabeth Kerin; Asa Sandel UD4 over Bose Ljoala; Daria
Hill TKO5 over Angie Poe; and Jennifer Salinas by UD4 over Sharon Gaines.
There were about 1,000 at the event. Jessica Rakoczy was featured as the
ring announcer.
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